Just before Christmas, I found myself wandering around the clothes shops. Silly thing to do really given that my bank balance was suffering the effects of Christmas shopping and Mr. B’s birthday - very inconsiderate to have a birthday on the 22nd Dec, don’t you think? But being weak of will and bloody of mind (me, not him), I wandered into H&M and purchased things. Nice things. Exciting things! Three things to be precise but I will only be able to show you one today for reasons that will become clear.

Mr. B is currently on crutches and has been since the beginning of November due to a partially snapped Achilles. Ouch. Though he’s (slowly) getting better, he’s still unable to hobble far or stand for long periods of time, which, when in desperate need of a photographer (my little man was out), was a bit of a dilemma.

You see, pictures indoors are just too gloomy and as you might have noticed, I've been rather fond of a certain brick wall for the backdrop of my pictures in the past year or so. The wall is located beyond our back garden and through a gate that’s tricky to open and shut.

(If you’re conjuring up images of a pretty, floral and herb, country cottage garden and a twee rickety old gate with a robin perched on the top – that’s great, but you’re way off! Being a new-build, our garden is more ‘Broadchurch’ than beautiful).

Anyway, by hook or by crutch, Mr. B managed the ‘picturesque’ journey up the garden and through the gate to the aforementioned wall and took the pictures from the driver’s seat of his car! Here he could rest his leg and be comfortable whilst waiting for me to change. Genius! (Him, not me).

Just in case you were wondering, I went back inside the house to change.

I’m sure, if I was given just another half an hour, I could have styled this stunning skirt with lots of other pieces from my wardrobe but I felt I should restrict the length of time Mr. B was sat in his car with his arms hanging out the window taking photos – hence only being able to show just one new item today. I will show you the other two purchases over the next week or so.

I love the subtle, vaguely damask, pattern on this skirt (yes, take note, I’m actually wearing pattern!) made up of black and blue splodges - and the length is just right too, other skirts in this style have been too long for me (I’m 5’ 3”). There’s no link to this H&M skirt online but you can find similar styles at Zara, Topshop, Phase Eight, ASOS, Next and New Look.

TWICE - grey jumper instead of the bright blue gives a more subtle look (not sure what the face is all about)

(...just swooshing, don't mind me)

THREE - more casual without the necklace and slouch, flat boots instead of heels

FOUR - getting cosy with my big grey scarf and black jumper

FIVE - even more relaxed with a chambray shirt and rolled up sleeves

(...just doing some high kicks, don't mind me)

SIX - glammed up with a silky blouse and pretty shoes for an evening out

I really enjoyed styling this skirt with different tops and footwear and even though it wasn't expensive (£29.99), I knew it would be amazing value and a great addition to my wardrobe. Also, I love feeling ladylike and in my opinion a full, swinging skirt, is definitely the most ladylike piece you can get.

And whatever it is we do for the rest of the evening, I need to ‘bear’ in mind what I've committed myself to the next day. In my wisdom (yeah, right) I've signed myself up to a Polar Bear Plunge. What? Yes!

At midday I will jump into an icy-cold, outside swimming pool in the name of charity. The husband of a lovely client of mine is walking to the North Pole in April to raise money for four charities and so I have actually paid for the privilege, along with another 100 or so people, to take the plunge.

Madness? Yep. Want to join in? Thought so! Click HERE for more information. You don't have to plunge by the way, you can just watch and laugh hysterically at those freezing their bits and bobs off!

Happy New Year everyone and I wish you happiness, health (and even more happiness) for 2016.

LoveMelxx

Want to follow Styled by Mel on Facebook? Just click HERE. Ta very much!